On 15 October 1985, two pipe bombs exploded in Salt Lake City killing Steven Christensen and Kathleen Sheets. Two early theories emerged to account for the murders. One suggested a possible connection between the murders and Coordinated Financial Services, a company at which Christensen had worked with Sheets' husband, Gary. The company was in financial trouble, and it was considered highly likely that an irate investor had arranged for the explosives to be planted. The other connection between the two victims was the "Salamander" letter, a highly controversial document which Christensen had purchased with the help of Gary Sheets. The content of the letter, which brought into question the official account of a key event in the history of the Mormon church, had upset many community members. The possibility that the bombings were connected to this letter was also given consideration.
On 16 October another bomb exploded, seriously injuring Mark Hofmann, the documents dealer who had sold the "Salamander" letter to Christensen. At this time investigative efforts were turned entirely towards the document theory of motive, and Mark Hofmann was considered a suspect in the bombings. As investigations continued the case increased in complexity. A number of people and organizations were found to be involved in the confusing web of transactions that had culminated in the murders. The lengthy and meticulous investigative process resulted in, among other things, a new method of detecting forged documents. When Hofmann's preliminary hearing began on 14 April 1986, many were outraged that the prosecution had spent so much time and money working on a case against a man who seemed so clearly innocent. Hofmann had passed a polygraph test. He was quiet, reserved, intelligent, a good father and husband, and an active member of the Mormon Church. As the hearing transpired, however, it became clear that the prosecution had a substantial case. Hofmann was arraigned and a trial date was set for 23 January 1987.
In the interim, a number of changes took place within the County Attorney's Office, resulting in the removal from the case of a key prosecutor. Also during this time, and in spite of the strong case the prosecution was building, a plea bargain was struck with the defense. The deal allowed Hofmann to plead guilty to reduced charges in exchange for granting prosecutors interview time with him. Hofmann was sentenced to one term of five years to life, and three terms of one to fifteen years. While reduced charges resulted in light sentencing, the judge presiding over the trial recommended that, due to the nature of his crimes, Hofmann spend the rest of his natural life in prison.
On 28 January 1988, Hofmann appeared before the members of the Board of Pardons who were to determine the actual length of his imprisonment. His own words helped them to reach a decision. During the hearing, Hofmann admitted he had murdered Christensen and Sheets in order to keep himself from being exposed as a fraud, and he displayed a chilling lack of concern for human life, especially in regards to the Sheets bombing, which he referred to as a game. Consistent with what was deemed appropriate by the judge and the prosecution, he was sentenced to spend the rest of his natural life in prison.
The Salamander collection (1829-2000) consist of interview notes, news clippings, publications, investigative information, and other materials used by Linda Sillitoe and Allen Roberts in their book
Organized in five series: I. Drafts and Manuscripts; II. Mormon Background Information; III. Forgery Background Information; IV. Newsclippings and Interviews; V. Post-Bombing Materials.
Arranged alphabetically thereunder.
Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library's
Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.
Boxes 1-29 were donated in 1989-1990 (14.5 linear feet). Box 29, folder 21, was donated in 2002.
Processed by Christie Pugh in 1992.
Addendum processed by Mary White in 2002.
Photographs and audio-visual materials were transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections (P0434 and A0240).
This section of the collection contains proposals, early titles, drafts, suggested revisions, and completed manuscripts of Linda Sillitoe and Allen Roberts' book,
The materials in this folder represent a chapter of the book that was added after the publication of the first edition.
This second section contains photocopies of articles and other papers which provide background information on Mormon history and issues. Since Mormonism is tied closely to the events surrounding the bombings and the lives of the people involved, an understanding of the culture makes them more comprehensible. Most of this part of the collection consists of writings by various authors on the origin, history, and doctrine of the Mormon church. The authors are diverse in beliefs and perceptions. Materials in this section provide highly subjective views. Articles in boxes 5 and 6 are filed alphabetically by author, or, in a few instances, title or subject, depending on the information available. Some of the issues addressed in the articles found in boxes 5 and 6 include blood atonement, polygamy, the Book of Mormon, and magic in Mormon history. Box 7, which holds materials relating specifically to the origins of the Mormon church, is arranged alphabetically by title.
It has been speculated that this book, which tells the story of a forged "Gospel of James," deeply influenced Hofmann as a young man.
Incomplete.
The third section consists of papers collected by Sillitoe and Roberts which relate to criminal activities. Information on polygraph tests, homicide, forgery, and parenting styles and religion as they relate to crime is provided. Box 9 is a general collection of criminal psychology articles, box 10 contains books and articles relating specifically to forgery, and boxes 11 and 12 contain copies of Mark Hofmann's own forgeries, as well as information from many sources relating to the documents with which he dealt. Folder 16 in box 12 may be of particular interest, as it includes papers which provide a detailed overview of Hofmann's work as a forger. As was the case in section II, box 9 contains papers which present subjective views on these topics.
Also included in this folder is a copy of an article which addresses the possible influence of Hamilton's book on Mark Hofmann.
Includes, among other papers, Hofmann's own description of "finding" the transcript, attempts by scholars to interpret the document, and articles written about the document both before and after it was exposed as a forgery.
A letter purported to be written by Thomas Bullock, personal clerk to Joseph Smith, Jr. Historically significant because it appears that Bullock had written the letter as a refusal to Brigham Young to turn the Joseph Smith III blessing over to him. As such, this letter provided support for the forged blessing.
Press releases, articles, and correspondence regarding this controversial collection. Most of these papers, which were written in 1985, address the issue of whether or not a Cowdery history exists. It is in the possession of the Mormon Church.
A Martin Harris signature was forged in the back of this book by Mark Hofmann. The alteration served to increase the value of the book. Because Martin Harris signatures are very rare, it also added further "proof" of the authenticity of the Salamander letter, by providing another signature with which to compare the one on the Salamander letter.
A handwritten Charles Dickens manuscript. Hofmann received money from a number of investors for its purchase.
It is suspected that Hofmann was going to attempt a forgery of this document. The financial potential for Hofmann, as well as the impact on Mormonism, of such a forgery would have far surpassed that of any of his previous documents.
Press releases, copies of McLellin materials, and articles. Dealings with this collection eventually led to the bombings. These papers, which were located in Texas by investigators shortly after the bombings, were not as significant as Hofmann had claimed.
Includes copies of a number of suspected forgeries.
Photocopies and typed text, numerous articles on Martin Harris, money digging, and the letter, theories and speculations about the implications of the letter made when it was considered authentic, press releases, etc.
Information on trials which were related to money digging and magic.
A blessing on Joseph Smith III given by his grandfather Joseph Smith Sr.
A blessing on Joseph Smith III given by his father Joseph Smith Jr. outlining his right to succeed his father as prophet of the LDS church. This document was especially important to the RLDS church, and received media attention. This folder includes press releases, articles, and copies of the blessing.
A "careless" forgery, probably intended to link Sidney Rigdon with Solomon Spaulding. The materials located in box 7, folder 1 of this collection provide more information on the potential significance of this link. While the Bill of Sale itself is authentic, Rigdon's signature was added and the date was changed by Hofmann. However, because the new date was a number of years after the death of Spaulding, the document was recognized as a forgery.
This folder includes: LDS Church lists of documents from Hofmann, including notations of suspected and charged forgeries; documents organized according to whether they are supportive or not supportive of orthodox LDS views, suggestive of Hofmann's purpose in forging them; full lists of charged documents; documents listed with full information on the date of appearance, to whom they were sold and for how much, provenance as given by Hofmann, and historical significance; lists of newspaper articles that provide information on the documents; a chronology of the documents, and a list of questioned imprints from the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America, Inc.
The fourth section (boxes 13-24) includes local and national press coverage of the documents and bombings, and notes from information-gathering interviews done by the authors. Much of the interview information is sensitive, and all reports reflect the subjective realities of those being interviewed. Interview notes in boxes 14-22 are organized alphabetically and chronologically, according to the systems used by each of the authors. Box 23 contains notes on specific subjects. However, there is overlap as many of the notes in the other boxes also relate to these subjects. Box 24 includes investigative information other than interview notes. Correspondence, press releases, financial and school related information, and time lines of events in the lives of Mark Hofmann, Steven Christensen, and Kathy Sheets are contained in this box.
Includes Hofmann's lists of Mormon manuscripts he offered for sale through his mail-order business; lists of items found in searches of Hofmann's house and of vector phone calls made from his car; lists of possible bombers other than Hofmann; information regarding activities of Hofmann and Lyn Jacobs in relation to University of Utah Marriott Library materials.
Chronology of events in the lives of some of the people directly involved in the bombings
Boxes 25-29 contain materials relating to events that happened after the bombings. Papers on Hofmann's preliminary trial, plea bargain, hearing before the Board of Pardons, and police investigative information are included in box 25. Boxes 26 and 27 contain the bound manuscripts of Hofmann's interviews with prosecutors, as well as other materials relating to his forging of money and of the "Oath of a Freeman." Box 28 includes articles written by Allen Roberts, a paper presented at a Sunstone symposium by Linda Sillitoc, and transcripts of a symposium held at Brigham Young University. Box 29 contains materials related to the book itself, correspondence, and book listings.
A number of the items listed in this book are Mark Hofmann forgeries. See pp. 3, 34, 38, 48-51, 152-55.